Brian Zisook, co-founder of AudioMack, shares the origin, mission, and evolution of the music streaming platform. He discusses how AudioMack carved out a niche as a discovery-focused service initially rooted in hip hop and now with a major presence across Africa, Latin America, and multicultural youth markets worldwide. By providing free tools and empowering independent artists through human curation, education, and innovative features like geo-targeted playlists and in-app messaging, AudioMack has democratized music access globally. Brian also tackles broader themes around music marketing, fan engagement, the importance of community and regional identity in music, and the current shortcomings in artist management and industry practices—all while offering thoughtful insight and practical advice for creators navigating today’s music landscape.

00:22 - What Is Audiomack?

01:02 - The Genesis of Audiomack in 2012

02:17 - Early Days and DJBooth Crossover

02:43 - Shaping a Platform for Independent Artists

03:43 - Audiomack’s Focus on Hip-Hop and Global Growth

05:19 - Why Africa Chose Audiomack

07:27 - Building Communities Through Localization

09:39 - Regional Music Curation in the U.S.

10:54 - Global Misconceptions About African Music

13:01 - Where Audiomack Fits in the Artist Marketing Mix

14:53 - Investing in Human Curation

16:49 - The Audiomack Tastemaker Program

20:10 - Solving Artist Discovery and Engagement Problems

22:38 - The Future of Audiomack and Global Expansion

25:32 - Audiomack vs Full-Catalog Streaming Giants

27:39 - Favorite Emerging Music Marketing Tactics

30:12 - The Power of Fan Clubs and Direct Artist Access

36:13 - Marketing Advice for Artists in Emerging Markets

38:42 -

Follow Andrew Southworth

@andrew.southworth

https://andrewsouthworth.com/

https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworth

@jessecannon

jessecannon.com

@dustintheindustryplant

@bacons.bits

dropoutmedia.net

sapphireeye.net

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.